Beside the sword-practicing platform, an old pear tree was in full bloom. A night breeze blew, and petals fluttered down onto the boy's shoulders and onto Liu Yunrou's eyelashes.
Mu Siyu sheathed his sword and stood there, his breath slightly short, but he first raised his hand to brush away the white petals from her hair: "It's chilly at night, why isn't Sister Liu wearing a cloak?"
Her voice was low and soft, carrying the afterglow of her sword practice.
Beside the sword-practicing platform, an old pear tree was in full bloom. A night breeze blew, and petals fluttered down onto the boy's shoulders and onto Liu Yunrou's eyelashes.
Mu Siyu sheathed his sword and stood there, his breath slightly short, but he first raised his hand to brush away the white petals from her hair: "It's chilly at night, why isn't Sister Liu wearing a cloak?"
Her voice was low and soft, with a slight hoarseness from practicing swordsmanship, like the lingering sound of a jade chime, making one's heart itch.
Liu Yunrou clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain calm: "I heard you say during the day that you're going to the sword tournament tomorrow, so... I've come to see you off."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them so much she wanted to bite her tongue—the excuse was so clumsy that even Xue Nu could tell.
The boy smiled, his eyes curving into a beautiful arc: "So, my sister came all this way to see me."
He turned to the side, gesturing for her to come up on stage: "Then will you accompany me to test my sword skills? Consider it a farewell gesture."
Liu Yunrou raised his eyes, and the unsheathed sword lay quietly in his arm. The scabbard was as clear as black jade, with a faint starlight flowing through it—it was the "Listening to the Tide" sword that the ancestor had personally bestowed upon the young Mu family member when he came of age.
She took a deep breath and unsheathed the soft sword from her waist: "Alright."
The two stood seven feet apart, the night wind billowing their sleeves, pear blossoms falling like snow.
Mu Siyu did not draw his sword, but used the scabbard as a sword and raised it slightly—
In an instant, the sword intent surged forth like a tide, layer upon layer, but stopped abruptly half an inch in front of her, the timing was perfect.
Liu Yunrou's mind tightened slightly. She drew a crescent moon with her soft sword, her body spinning as she spun. The tip of her sword pierced the tide and aimed straight for his shoulder.
The young man chuckled softly, shifted his toes slightly, and with a flick of his scabbard, deflected her sword strike.
"Sister's 'Falling Moon' move is three times faster now."
"Compared to you, I'm still far behind." She stopped, her breathing slightly erratic.
Mu Siyu suddenly lunged forward, lightly touching her wrist with the tip of his scabbard, and the soft sword slipped from her hand, clattering to the ground.
Liu Yunrou was startled and before she could react, the young man had already bent down to pick up the soft sword, returned it with both hands, and his eyes were burning with desire.
"After returning from the sword competition, I want to ask my father and mother something."
"...What is it?"
He raised his hand, his fingertips brushing away the fallen flower from between her brows, his voice as soft as the night breeze:
"Propose marriage."
As soon as those two words were uttered, Liu Yunrou's heart stopped beating.
"Whose marriage should I propose to?" She heard her own voice tremble.
The young man laughed lightly, each word distinct:
"I, Mu Siyu, propose to marry Liu Yunrou, the eldest daughter of the Liu family."
"I am willing to use the sword in my hand to protect her for a lifetime of peace; in the name of the Mu family, I will bestow upon her a lifetime of honor and glory."
"Just ask your sister, is she willing?"
Pear blossoms fluttered in the air, bathed in the clear moonlight.
Liu Yunrou gazed at the young man before her, the scent of flowers filling her nostrils, her heart pounding like a drum in her ears.
She spoke in a trembling voice, but with a smile:
"If you can win against me, I will marry you."
The boy raised an eyebrow: "Didn't we already win?"
That's a sword, not a heart.
Mu Siyu chuckled softly, then suddenly reached out and grasped her fingertips, placing them on his heart:
"Then let's have another one—"
"To exchange heart for heart, to exchange life for life."
"I concede."
"So, sister—"
"You win."
Liu Yunrou's eyes welled up with tears, and she finally reached out to wrap her arms around the boy's neck, her voice soft yet firm:
"Okay." Mu Xiyao looked at the two of them and found them quite amusing...
She is now an outstanding disciple of the sect, and many people envy her.
He possesses six Heavenly-grade spiritual roots, making him easy to cultivate, and his identity is extremely mysterious.
"I'll marry him."
The snow falls silently, the pear blossoms bear witness.
On the sword-training platform, two figures stood embracing, the moonlight casting long shadows that seemed to stretch out into—
Year after year, it will never end.
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